I don't know if it's better than the older models, but the AA battery powered canon I had was really weak for power consumption, always changing batteries. I prefer the "specific" batteries, even though you need to buy a second one to switch

how important is it to get a camera with image stabilization, i can hold it fairly still by myself i would think.

Click to expand...

not at the end of a 10x optical zoom and/or in low light. you'll shake more than you think, a lot more. anytime you have a slower shutter speed, it will be harder to hold still for that length of time. and with that much zoom, your movements are magnified just as much as the zoom.

not at the end of a 10x optical zoom and/or in low light. you'll shake more than you think, a lot more. anytime you have a slower shutter speed, it will be harder to hold still for that length of time. and with that much zoom, your movements are magnified just as much as the zoom.

Click to expand...

i dont really see myself zooming in too much or playing with shutter speeds. Its 99% going to be used for travels with my g/f. Trips to the zoo, i dont think i'll need to zoom in more than 20yds if i want a close up of a lion. We're planning a trip to D.C. soon that it'd be nice to have it for, but again just quick snapshots of monuments, us standing infront of touristy crap, musueum pics, etc.